Research Paper on "Reflective Self-Help Book Analysis"

Research Paper 6 pages (1607 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

Self-Help

Nursing, Holistic Health and the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

This personal reflection on the Stephen Covey text, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, offers a basic overview of the text's thesis and supporting arguments. This includes discussion of the Paradigm shift called for by Covey, identification of the so-called '7 Habits' and delineation of major concepts such as primary and secondary greatness. Subsequently, the reflection draws a correlation between the Covey text and the philosophies driving the field of holistic health. This is followed by a discussion of the application of Covey's self-help text to the practice of nursing as well as to my personal approach to my nursing career.

Introduction:

Achieving success in one's career, in one's personal life and in one's sense of self are all deeply interdependent. As I have looked to improve myself as a nurse and as an individual, I consider that the two dimensions of my life must be unified by a clear sense of my responsibilities and expectations to myself and others. In other words, I have generally sought to be a more effective person both in my everyday life and in extra-ordinary situations. This is the underlying motive for my personal reflection on Stephen R. Covey's landmark 1989 self-help text, the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. One of the most successful and recognizable titles in the genre, the book offers a text which integrates elements of pop-psychology, sociology and cultural critique into a comprehensive blueprint on how to improve one's life and, consequently, the lives of others.

Main Thesis:



The main thesis that underscores the Covey text is that an individual's personal effectiveness hinges on one's ability to experience a paradigm shift, or a change in one's perspective. Much of any individual's success, Covey asserts, will derive from the individual's ability to expand her worldview to encompass the alternate perspectives of others. This allows for compassion, compromise and comprehension that may have theretofore eluded an individual. As Covey explains of his personal revelation that perspective change was needed, "I was suddenly able to see the powerful impact of the Personality Ethic and to clearly understand those subtle, often consciously unidentified discrepancies between what I knew to be true -- some times I had been taught so many years ago as a child and things that were deep in my own inner sense of value -- and the quick fix philosophies that surrounded me every day." (p. 21) This underscores the thesis that with a paradigm shift, an individual will be significantly more capable for distilling truth and success from the loud din of everyday life.

Supports:

Covey provides support for this thesis by outlining what he calls '7 Habits' which, with a comprehensive paradigm shift, are both possible and likely to substantially improve one's relationships, endeavors and overall life. Covey instructs his readers to be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put first things first; think win-win; seek first to understand, then to be understood; synergize; and sharpen. Covey divides these into three categories that denote a sequential adoption of habits. The first three imperatives are housed in the 'independence' category, the following three in the 'interdependence' category and the final one in the category of 'self-renewal.'

Among the more compelling conceptual deconstruction in his discussion, as Covey explains how to refine these 7 habits, is that which describes the construction of personal integrity through the pursuit of commitment. According to Covey, it is our willingness to make and follow through on commitments which improves our relationships with one another as well as with ourselves. According to Covey, "was we make and keep commitments, even small commitments, we begin to establish an inner integrity the gives us the awareness of self-control and the courage and strength to accept more of the responsibility for our own lives. By making and keeping promises to ourselves and others, little by little, our honor becomes greater than our moods." (p. 92) in other words, this consistency and accountability are tantamount to the demonstration of character. Commitment and promise help an individual to prove that moments of passing fancy, mood and passion have given way to profound effort, ambition and achievement. This aspect of the paradigm shift denotes a greater emphasis on the value of connecting one's words and actions.

Another strong support for the value of the paradigm shift is the need to be true in one's pursuits. Covey explains that many individuals possess either a primary or a secondary greatness, providing explanation for why so many talented, eloquent or otherwise superficially impressive individuals fail to achieve lasting or long-term success in their personal relationships, professional pursuits or sometimes even in the achievement of personal mental or emotional equanimity.

In Covey's supporting discussion, he indicates that some individuals who practice goodness or personality ethic, may lack a basic goodness of intent. The result is a 'technique' based practice of ethics rather than an actual one. Covey argues that "in most one-shot or short-lived human interactions, you can use the Personality Ethic to get by and to make favorable impressions through charm and skill and pretending to be interested in other people's hobbies. You can pick up quick, easy techniques that may work in short-term situations. But secondary traits alone have no permanent worth in long-term relationships. Eventually, if there isn't deep integrity and fundamental character strength, the challenges of life will cause true motives to surface and human relationships failure will replace short-term success." (p. 22)

Application to Holistic Health:

Covey's discussion directly here above regarding the secondary greatness of backing personal ethic with actual goodness of intent has particular value in the area of holistic health. Here, there is particular relevance to the idea that human interaction must be governed by a clear and genuine desire to develop a meaningful and sustainable long-term relationship. In holistic health, patient-centered care is of the utmost importance, meaning that treatment of the individual rather than illness should guide nursing behavior. With Covey's evaluation of primary and secondary greatness, one gains a greater understanding of how best to foster trust, comfort and overall well-being in patients. Covey's philosophical imperatives share their thrust with those of holistic care where the importance of both open communication and underlying integrity are concerned.

Application to Practice:

The application to practice is particularly pronounced and almost explicit in Covey's work. The author argues that even the most competent individuals who lack the true, perspective-driven motivation to success in workplace settings or personal relationships will ultimately be betrayed by their true feelings. This is why a paradigm shift is so critical to the adoption of the 7 habits. In the practice of nursing, I find that any separation between personal desire to be there and the demand of one's duties ultimately leads to a breakdown in morale and performance. Indeed, patients will experience this breakdown most directly. As Covey phrases it, "what we are communicates far more eloquently than anything we say or do." (p. 22)

This is especially so in the context of one's nursing practice. My dedication to my field of work is strengthened by the sense that this is truly how I desire to invest my abilities. Moreover, it is clear that the physically taxing and emotionally exhausting nature of the nursing practice causes a high attrition rate amongst qualified registered nurses. This kind of turnover may be attributable to an ambition to become a nurse but a lack of desire to be a nurse given all that this often challenging and frustrating occupation entails.

Personal Changes:

Perhaps the most important aspect of Covey's text for my personal development as a nurse is that which connects personal relationships and professional success. Certainly, in my fourteen years as a nurse working in a critical care/trauma setting, I… READ MORE

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